You may claim an increase for a qualified child if they are under age 18, normally live with you and are maintained by you.

From July 2012, you will not get a Qualified Child Increase if your spouse, civil partner or cohabitant has income or earnings of more than €400 a week.

If a qualified child is in full-time education by day at a recognised school or college, you may get this increase until the end of the academic year in which they reach age 22 (whether or not they are living at home).

You may get the full Qualified Child Increase if you are single, widowed, a surviving civil partner or separated. You may get half the Qualified Child Increase if you are living with your spouse, civil partner or cohabitant.

If your spouse, civil partner or cohabitant is getting a payment from this Department, you will each get half the Qualified Child Increase with your payments.